Pentazocine overdose

Definition

Pentazocine is a medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. A pentazocine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition

Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)

The time it was swallowed

The amount swallowed

If the medication was prescribed for the patient

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Naloxone (Narcan), a medicine (antidote) to help reverse the effect of the poison -- multiple doses may be needed

Outlook (Prognosis)

Pentazocine overdose is usually much less serious than other opiod medications such as heroin and morphine. Rarely do antidotes such as Narcan need to be used. Although deaths have been reported, most persons receiving immediate help should have a very good long term outcome.